Pages

Monday, February 25, 2013

Marcus Aurelius: "It is our own power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul; for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgments."
Judy Garland: "Always be a first-rate version of yourself instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

Q1: Why does it (someone else's behavior, a situation, an event, etc.) matter to you?
Q2: What about you is not good enough to simply be who you are? (As in trying to please or impress others.)

Hmmmm.... outer influences have no power over us other than the power we give them. They have no "natural power" to form our judgments. You've most likely experienced this -- on any given day, a remark, event, person, whatever, makes you crazy, and that same thing on another day doesn't phase you. Oh, yes, it's a choice how you react.
And often, we react in a way that we hope will please others, even if it goes against our basic nature, or violates our sense of self. This doesn't feel good. This is an example of being a "second-rate version of somebody else."
Food for thought, time to watch basketball!
Love,
Leta

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

I am blessed to have a home office that looks out on my beautiful garden. It snowed!!!!
We are in an area starved for moisture, so wet stuff on the ground in any amount is a VERY welcome sight. We probably have 3 inches, with more predicted. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Yes, I drove in it this morning. Took it easy, slid around some, made it home safely. Here are some other ways to look at this situation that you may not have considered:
1. It's beautiful. What if snow falling to the earth was pea soup green--that just wouldn't be the same.
2. You are in no hurry. There is truly no rush--you are the creator of time, make as much as you need.
3. This magnifies the blessing of a warm home, a good book, a hot cup of tea (or in my case, cable TV for basketball!!!!).
4. It's an opportunity to be kind and careful with yourself and other drivers.
5. It may inspire you to have some basic food stock around the house for such instances, so you don't need that extra stop at the store.
6. It may inspire creativity with whatever is the pantry :)
Enjoy whatever beauty surrounds you, whether it is white or not!
Love,
Leta

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

This past Saturday evening, I had my second experience at a casino for gambling. I've got nothing against gambling or casinos, or the folks who enjoy them, and winning money certainly is a fun thing. I just feel like sharing my feelings and experience.
Overwhelming is the first work that comes to mind. I recently visited St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, and it's the largest Catholic church in the world, and I think several of St. Peter's would fit inside the Kansas Star Casino. There's so much color and noise and so many choices, it's hard to know where to start. I feel like everyone else knows what they are doing and they are winning, and I'm clueless and losing. I feel like a nerd with my $35 or so limit, which I can easily stick by. My casino stay is not long, as I lose my money quickly. I leave smelling like an ashtray--that seems to be the one place where smokers can still smoke and enjoy a "kiss my ass!" attitude.
The financially-responsible part of me is truly traumatized by this experience. How many folks are there gambling money they don't have, and losing it, running up charge cards bills or whatever? That's a sad aspect of human nature, a discouraging picture of hope and hopelessness. While I can survive the loss of $35 without much difficulty, still, next morning I found myself thinking of all the more fun and rewarding things I could have done with the money. Also, the computer geek in me has a field day thinking of all the programmable ways for gambling machine developers to "stack the deck" against the players.
I did have fun with my gal pals, and they all got a big laugh at my expense when I squealed when I won $10 (a pittance in casino terms). Yes, I may go to a casino again, but I don't care if a few years pass till my next visit.
Your thrifty friend,
Leta

Saturday, February 2, 2013

This comes from a Science of Mind magazine Daily Guide (daily meditation) by Noel McInnis:
Taoist rules of engagement for right relationship: When you come, we welcome you. When you stay, we do not hold on to you. When you leave, we do not pursue you.
This is my goal relative, especially, to my adult children. Challenging, to say the least!
Happy Saturday!
Love,
Leta

About this Brave Broad

Leta Miller is a spiritual living coach residing in Wichita, Kansas. Sharing her passion for life, she facilitates classes and playshops and offers individual coaching sessions and group programs.
Leta is a Level 1 Certified Forrest Yoga Instructor offering private yoga instruction in Wichita and classes at Clearwater Wellness Center west of Wichita. Leta is also a MELT Method Hand and Foot Instructor, offering workshops, private instruction and classes in Wichita and Clearwater.
She is the author of the book "WHOA! Slow Down and Ponder a Life of Wholeness, Health, Openness and Action." Leta’s website is www.believeenterprises.com.